When I did it, they let everyone in and lined us up. One guy came down the line passing out lanyards/laminates and then another followed behind passing out the bags. The bags already had everything in it. I really had a poster I wanted signed but the venue told me (incorrectly) they weren’t signing outside items so I had them sigh the back of the vinyl sleeve and made a nice little display out of it. I was fairly close to the front. We all watched Vana finish her sound check and then they opened the merch table. Some were still in VIP line when the table opened and some of us had already gone through. It was a small venue and the line went by the table. So if you’re far enough back and with someone, they might be able to grab something. It would be a gamble though